Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

May I raise a somewhat different matter? This morning, a sub-committee of the British-Irish interparliamentary group, the sovereignty sub-committee, met and dealt with a presentation by Department officials with regard to the decade of commemoration that is now starting. The Seanad could usefully engage in a debate on this and on the programme coming before us. The matter is being considered by the Government and there is an advisory group under the chairmanship of former Senator Maurice Manning, who made a presentation to the group this morning. There is an all-party group within these Houses, of which Senator Daly and, I believe, Senator White and others are members. I suggest we have a debate because it is important.

I have a strong Nationalist-republican point of view but am very mindful that if we are to achieve mutual understanding on this island, we must open our minds to other points of view and traditions. The corollary is that there is an obligation on those with other points of view and traditions to do likewise. During the course of this morning's meeting, we were informed about a recent seminar in Waterford organised by Waterford City Council. The Leader may be interested in this. The contributions on the third Home Rule Bill by John Redmond, Herbert Asquith and Edward Carson were discussed at the seminar. During the course of this morning's meeting, I suggested that we might consider re-enacting some of these background debates, some of which may have taken place in the Seanad. Somebody such as Peter Robinson or another from his tradition could participate. Somebody from the Nationalist tradition should also be present. This would certainly put on the record of the Houses some of the issues that were current at the time in question. This would lead to understanding. If we are to have a united Ireland, to which I strongly aspire, we need to work towards laying the foundation, which involves greater understanding between the traditions on these islands.

The Government Whip, Senator Coghlan, who was also there told me afterwards he believed the suggestion had merit and would take it up with the Members who organise the business of the House. Will the Leader look at this proposal? If I am not mistaken, he is a particular fan of John Redmond. It would be useful to have such a debate. Other debates took place in the Oireachtas, for example, with regard to the 1921 treaty. That is a long way off, however, and there may be no Seanad when it comes around. We should use the Chamber to broaden people's knowledge of these events and their context.

I had concerns that the then Government's watering down which occurred for the commemorative events of the 75th anniversary of the 1916 Rising would be repeated. I have strongly advocated for the centenary anniversary to be celebrated as the primary centrepiece of this decade. Lord Brian Mawhinney, a Tory Minister in Northern Ireland for a period, agreed we should do that and also agreed with my comment that we should be unapologetic about doing it. We need to be upfront of where we are, as well as being mindful of other viewpoints and traditions.